[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6168508,"mediaKeyId","5407540-a2067b757c00bd0a8ca0bd76d082852d","parentId",5407540,"title","Council reviews purchase agreement and long ground lease for 1771 Columbia Blvd. site","audioSeconds",452,"startMs",4105000,"endMs",4557000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5407540-a2067b757c00bd0a8ca0bd76d082852d&start=4105&end=4557","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5407540-a2067b757c00bd0a8ca0bd76d082852d/thumbnail_4105000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6168508/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Council-reviews-purchase-agreement-and-long-ground-lease-for-1771-Columbia-Blvd-site","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168508-e8a59452a57603451727b55b253537f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645982&Signature=ck9wEN~tYFevKXSQ6tqAwMvNDxIf~8p87ILzaZFjvgRUgcop7umNnJRD5kQg~7KPDtaEl7HrVUKMKtCgKNM6u3~T9yh3qSwgO3pZczgs~ngQrYMiGUpvpLDfb5TrNbu5mVsSyTkvajf~r-CnTtLChQs3KzOjMQav-C~M79KpGQECC3IBQhnC5pWOb6oS1QYBD0vWtVbvH5KDw9yMKOYI0Jq~-8O7cS~KQY175tE1StjasJ5ZEEDjF-ypPFTvvlECGrAGLbTT3tndiP17Y0hPFRvCu7iZSIvxQhjTSQZRiM4C0ja2MIpNHqJ-etJeo8~PRdt-A7pKTjAjsDdu4ylzaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of St. Helens, OR","date","2025-07-16T21:58:08Z","article","City legal counsel Jeff walked the council through a purchase-and-sale agreement (PSA) and an associated long‑term ground lease for the property at 1771 Columbia Boulevard during the July 16 work session.

Jeff said the PSA sets a base sale price of $1,250,000, subject to a $25,000 downward adjustment if the seller accelerates the closing, and includes an indexing clause that adjusts the price for inflation beginning on the third anniversary of the agreement. The seller has requested a delayed closing mechanism that ties the closing trigger to the death of the principal owner of the seller entity, which Jeff identified as Wayne Weigandt (the seller’s owner as listed in state records).

Why it matters: The agreement structure allows the city to begin site work and construction on the planned project without immediate fee title by executing a ground lease. At the same time, once the city proceeds past its 90‑day due‑diligence period and into the ground lease, counsel warned the city would be effectively committed to closing and could be sued for specific performance if it later attempted to walk away.

Key terms and timeline

Jeff said the PSA gives the city a 90‑day due‑diligence period to evaluate title, environmental and other site risks. If the city notifies the seller before day 90 that it intends to proceed, the seller must terminate tenancies within a 35‑day window so the city can take possession under the ground lease while waiting for the eventual fee-title conveyance. If the seller accelerates closing (for example through a 1031 exchange), the sale price can be adjusted downward by $25,000.

The ground lease functions as a financing substitute, Jeff said, and provides the city near‑owner rights so it can construct and maintain improvements while the seller retains legal title until the PSA closing. Rent under the ground lease is set at $6,250 per month (triple net and CPI‑adjusted), with the lease term structured to extend automatically until the PSA closing occurs and to protect the city’s improvements from being lost if there is litigation or delay.

Council questions and next steps

Councilors asked for clarity on the seller’s obligation to remove personal property and trailers from the site; Jeff said the seller must deliver the property vacant per the timetable in section 22 of the PSA, and the city can terminate if the seller fails to comply. Councilor Herman asked whether the seller will be required to leave the site clean of residual paraphernalia; counsel recommended the city set expectations and document any marginal items during diligence.

Ending: Counsel recommended standard due diligence and the council directed staff to proceed with review; no sale closing or final action occurred at the meeting.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","071625 City Council Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","City legal counsel Jeff explained on July 16 that the PSA for 1771 Columbia Boulevard sets a $1.25 million purchase price, ties closing to the seller’s requested timeline and uses a long ground lease granting the city owner-like rights while fee title is delayed.","taxTitle","St. Helens, Columbia County, Oregon","taxId",52788,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6168518,"Saint Helens staff outline DEQ-driven erosion-control ordinance, debate permit thresholds and fees",719,1919000,2638000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5407540-a2067b757c00bd0a8ca0bd76d082852d&start=1919&end=2638","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5407540-a2067b757c00bd0a8ca0bd76d082852d/thumbnail_1919000.jpg","/articles/6168518/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Saint-Helens-staff-outline-DEQ-driven-erosion-control-ordinance-debate-permit-thresholds-and-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168518-b3c3ec723210c080b76319d3b8a3f772/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645982&Signature=FTdy0iK3sEyLYYgc6qRzefSki2pvBrliAkUCNrRHYsbl2jDUsi2TIOUaHqEiIICmGz9Hx9NhBhESE7zDiFrJf84B2YzI2zGILi5hLYteLHy44s3ulM6ok1F94qWfGPwokZG4wZYcThxPhZFy9AqGNQtnI6fkzF5K03S-~N5ZzEGYWq3nrq4hmjBr-W2lcc5dQWSXNJm6D005goHTLlnSiPh-lmCJi4cybNLgWVsZ7USTi3DqmfBCekV24e3a1NZfRpsgCow2DqzyH7ChFmK5L8VPGOZiO5wp9ZO89OTYclJIBPfz-rLU5V~fiozwk9S1ZNEzJZwrpdIdL0WjU79z1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Planner Jacob Grama told the City of Saint Helens council on July 16 that the city’s draft erosion-control ordinance and related permitting changes respond to requirements in the Willamette Watershed total maximum daily load implementation plan.

The proposed update would add a permit for land disturbance, expand enforcement tools and set local thresholds for when a permit is required. Jacob Grama said the draft municipal threshold is 1,000 square feet but stressed the city can adjust that number: “We went with a thousand. So, like Mohammed was saying, we can adjust the size if we chose,” Grama said. He also told the council the DEQ-driven minimum effectively requires the city to regulate disturbances of at least a half acre.

Council and staff said the change is intended to close gaps between state/federal rules and local enforcement, and to protect creeks listed on Oregon DEQ’s 303(d) list.

Why it matters: The council was asked to balance DEQ compliance, development‑process costs for homeowners and builders, and the city’s capacity to implement inspections and enforcement. Staff said the ordinance must be in place to meet the city’s TMDL implementation deadline.

The proposed rules and staff responses

Sharon (city staff leading the draft ordinance discussion) told the council the update is driven by DEQ’s watershed plan and is not optional: “This is a DEQ requirement, and this has to be implemented, and it's in our implementation plan by September 3 of this year.” She said the ordinance would require permits and enforcement for certain land-disturbing activities and that state law sets a minimum the city must meet.

On thresholds, staff described a three-part approach the council can refine:
- A city-proposed permit threshold set at 1,000 square feet of disturbance (staff said the common Oregon range is 1,000 to 10,000 square feet and the city chose 1,000 to capture small construction sites);
- An absolute minimum the city cannot go below because of the watershed TMDL, which staff said equates to a half-acre threshold adopted for state/regional consistency; and
- A proximity rule that requires a permit for work closer than a specified distance to mapped water bodies (the draft ties permitting to sites within about 50 feet of creeks or wetlands, but staff said the council can consider larger buffers).

Staff also addressed other concerns raised in public comment and by members of the council:
- Liability for designers: Sharon said the draft aligns responsibility with accountability and does not make engineers or architects responsible for contractors’ field work; instead, designers are accountable for design errors and contractors for implementation. “If they designed an erosion control plan that was inaccurate, then they would be responsible for that portion of it and not for the actual work,” she said.
- Small-scale gardening and homeowners: Staff said the city could exempt small gardens or raise the threshold so routine home projects are not unnecessarily burdened; they emphasized the need to avoid creating undue expense for homeowners.
- Emergency work: Staff said there is no blanket exception for emergency repairs. However, they noted that most emergency repairs do not disturb the large areas the permit targets and that the permit is generally structured to remain active until final stabilization.
- Inspections and staffing: Staff said engineering would perform inspections and that engineering team members are CECS-certified (certified erosion control sediment specialists), meaning the city expects to assign certified inspectors rather than rely solely on planning staff.

Public comment and timeline

Public commenter Al Peterson had urged the council to delete or modify parts of the proposed ordinance, calling some clauses overreaching and warning of added expense. Sharon and Jacob provided written answers and said staff circulated those answers in advance.

Staff said the permit program and enforcement language should be in place by the DEQ deadline. Sharon said the city can broaden the local threshold up to the half‑acre DEQ minimum but cannot go below it: “That's not negotiable. That's out of our hands.”

Ending: Council direction and next steps

Councilors asked staff to return with refined threshold options, clearer language for homeowners and a proposed buffer distance to water bodies. The council did not take a final vote; staff said they would bring back amendments (including consideration of excluding small gardens or raising the square‑foot threshold) and clearer cost/implementation details at a future meeting. Sharon also noted the cross‑departmental nature of implementation, with planning, engineering, public works and communications all participating.","City Planner Jacob Grama told the City of Saint Helens council on July 16 that the city’s draft erosion-control ordinance and related permitting changes respond to requirements in the Willamette Watershed TMDL implementation plan.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6168513,"Saint Helens weighs options for water taxi as inspections, insurance and public-safety concerns mount",228,2733000,2961000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5407540-a2067b757c00bd0a8ca0bd76d082852d&start=2733&end=2961","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5407540-a2067b757c00bd0a8ca0bd76d082852d/thumbnail_2733000.jpg","/articles/6168513/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Saint-Helens-weighs-options-for-water-taxi-as-inspections-insurance-and-public-safety-concerns-mount","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168513-5bc7d67ce019f60a31cbbef8b803a147/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645982&Signature=bcCM1KNLmlVGQMslHvWD57NxHH1toivhLm81P26Et8rQORBPDwEd6Vxoi-Uxa-SgOyNeknF-A5xV7bltYSe~OksKdBTcGewbQoqX--zsQJVxngVY~NVHInLw1d9l1b3YrKdZnW~cxVK9e-X2CStF4kszbwdsubR~-SGyKXtgVCZgzvzMV2dtv4U98EeD10G1PoXTJBA8FPnseuoD5JyZzBV4E8n1V265u6AqEQri~OF5AN6NujGJ3AFzRVYDCHtvp1DP7f44~JVUjgrSt9l9-Rc-Y35G~rXE0aqJRjegyBhTg-omJ25qOmN9foAVbsVshCSAzcd7YNMsVW0ILq2dIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Administrator John told the City of Saint Helens council on July 16 that the city-owned water taxi faces outstanding Coast Guard inspection deficiencies, significant insurance costs and operational questions that leave the council with three basic options: keep and operate the boat, keep but contract operation to a third party, or sell the vessel.

John (City Administrator) said the boat’s Certificate of Inspection (COI) is currently in force for the 2023–2028 cycle but that annual inspection letters of deficiency show items — some administrative and some harder to fix — that the city must resolve with the Coast Guard. “The boat does have a COI,” John said, and later explained the COI “is good from 23 to 28,” while some documentation and build‑origin issues remain unresolved.

Why it matters: The boat has been used for events, including transport to Sand Island, but councilors and staff flagged public‑safety and liability concerns. City staff estimated commercial insurance needs at a high level and said private operation or consignment sale may reduce the city’s exposure.

Inspection, insurance and operations

John said some deficiencies are administrative — title and bill‑of‑sale discrepancies — while others relate to safety equipment and documentation that must be reconciled with national vessel records. He described Coast Guard guidance pushing some operators toward smaller passenger counts or different certification paths, including the “Jones Act waiver small vessel program,” which could reduce some build‑in‑America restrictions but also limits passenger capacity.

The city’s insurance broker had advised a high policy limit because of potential liability; John said figures in the $10 million to $15 million range had been discussed in informal conversations. He said that, to insulate the city, the contractor running the boat had assumed liability while operating it at events.

Options discussed

Councilors and staff discussed several possible paths:
- Keep the boat in city ownership and operate it in‑house (councilors noted the city lacks certified marine public‑safety personnel and that transporting detainees over water raises special police/sheriff considerations);
- Keep the boat but contract or lease operations to a private operator that can carry the insurance and staffing burden (staff noted existing campground/marina operators who have shown interest); and
- Declare the vessel surplus and sell it, possibly on consignment through a broker, though staff warned resale value depends on resolving Coast Guard and title issues and on whether the boat remains certified for the higher passenger load.

Brad, the Sand Island Campground operator who has discussed operating the vessel, told staff he is interested in partnering with the city but would need a business model that addresses insurance, inspection and certification costs. City Attorney Ashley and Chief Smith (police) said any operator arrangement must cover public‑safety responsibilities for events and detainee handling. Chief Smith recommended consulting the sheriff’s office for any IGA on marine deployments.

Staff recommendations and next steps

The city administrator asked council to direct staff to pursue additional research and return with options. John recommended staff research market value, the outstanding Coast Guard items that would need remediation to sell at higher value, what would be required to move the vessel into a 12‑passenger small‑vessel program, and potential lease terms with interested local operators. Councilors agreed to have staff return with those details for a future meeting rather than make an immediate decision.

Ending: Council deferred a decision and asked staff to return with tighter cost estimates, legal and insurance analysis, and potential lease or sale terms.","City staff told council the city-owned water taxi faces inspection deficiencies and high insurance exposure; the council discussed keeping, leasing to a private operator, securing a consignment sale or declaring the vessel surplus while exploring options with the Sand Island campground operator and the Coast Guard.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6168499,"Council hears proposal to require voter approval for fees collected through utility bills",744,5136000,5880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5407540-a2067b757c00bd0a8ca0bd76d082852d&start=5136&end=5880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5407540-a2067b757c00bd0a8ca0bd76d082852d/thumbnail_5136000.jpg","/articles/6168499/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Council-hears-proposal-to-require-voter-approval-for-fees-collected-through-utility-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168499-ed0a1c9efcdc2c9c9cf165af6c72815a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645982&Signature=NTlPGy~NCI4LZn~6VdVouJRUVBSXblhgv9x-VuTYSqE1ZPV-LDaFdmoWZVqfZet4Z-ISR4v9nFOfQNAu6rtsGpDP09Eyy8vaENjbxeCIelqMraDWPyY7zOIIWdOoGwnWulYXl2VV700qBXnjElUb1-St3xEwZyCmP0W33U6fiNS1KvG~wlGA2tSoy7Tn-KSV42Dt~AT0QPIswsSpL3IxQ98qteB9VHUJPuQuzDzWTPIPniyjrwU-8H5mqnPKVBDypHTHDjp4elk4HAibDca8ShXmiKBDJ6E3yUISaosUoh2ZPFPryH1UVf8-toAaftce6SM83TNbSujfMDm5ItJHJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A council member proposed on July 16 that the City of Saint Helens refer a charter amendment to voters requiring majority approval for new fees or changes to fees collected through the city's utility-billing system.

The proposed referral text (presented as a draft concept) would define “fee” as any charge collected through utility billing that is not a direct user charge for consumption, require voter approval for imposing or changing such fees, and include ballot‑measure requirements that specify the exact dollar amount, a sunset date unless reauthorized, and the specific purpose for which proceeds would be used. The draft also included a provision allowing council to reduce a voter‑approved fee without returning to voters if economic conditions improved.

Why it matters: Proponents said the amendment would give voters direct control over fees that are collected on utility bills and increase transparency; opponents cautioned that inserting such requirements into the charter is a consequential restriction on future councils and could complicate municipal finance.

Council and staff discussion

Council members discussed whether an ordinance, which could be adopted and amended by council, would suffice, or whether a charter amendment — which is more durable and cannot be changed without a voter vote — was the appropriate route. City Attorney Ashley confirmed that code adopted by ordinance could be repealed by a subsequent council, while a charter amendment would place the rule at the constitutional level for the city and require voters to change it.

Councilors supported including clear ballot language and a sunset provision. One councilor emphasized voter control: “They want a voice,” the councilor said during discussion, urging that voters be asked to decide. Staff advised the council on timing and deadlines: it is possible to prepare referral text for the November ballot but timelines are tight; a spring ballot would allow more time for drafting and review.

Ending: Councilmembers signaled support for exploring the proposal further and directed the city administrator and city attorney to draft referral text and a ballot title for review at a future meeting.","A council member proposed drafting a charter amendment to require voter approval for imposing, increasing or changing any fee collected through the city's utility billing system; councilors and staff discussed charter vs. ordinance approach, sunset clauses and timeline for referral to the ballot.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6168504,"Planner reports on Millard Road wetlands, developer concerns and upcoming staffing changes",383,1014000,1397000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5407540-a2067b757c00bd0a8ca0bd76d082852d&start=1014&end=1397","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5407540-a2067b757c00bd0a8ca0bd76d082852d/thumbnail_1014000.jpg","/articles/6168504/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Planner-reports-on-Millard-Road-wetlands-developer-concerns-and-upcoming-staffing-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168504-b6092d6185010d9f7bfa34b9d0cd1501/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645982&Signature=fzbgJvPgvMGo4Ez22ZjAB02jKFnlBBB6FXa3RoV8dJxUYaW~DatYi-E8vF87FaYZMqS-XtWcWGsn97fL5eYNOskWc1BS9Gc0ei-0nyZ~4m-JkTWq~Hl00fEAzI6vMXeKUGUW0aRMLj3ZsH8W1xbc6ogNbiMTfhVTb2UV6ari9VWUyX57Ucg-7CaKSLJX7XvHjtiB8KuhwX1PpL3Kf8OsME8vEGNOlTeE7xXfiAdAn93Jt1-uWzQdm3jWaFGXbPbre4YfURSyTakmBXLUfdh8xgrvQM1Eu3vtJWlW8~Cpjk9nneo1H8OcRpCL1IYnW23SyPlKXlmiUdbYkkjKC81I4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Planner Jacob Grama updated the council on July 16 about a deed notice related to wetlands on the Millard Road property, developer concerns that the notice might affect lending or future regulation, and staffing changes in the planning department.

Jacob Grama said the county land‑use approval for a hospital years ago required a recorded deed notice for wetlands that applies to the southerly third of the property. He said the city now owns the northern two thirds and that the deed notice was intended as a notice to future owners rather than as a new regulatory overlay. “One of the conditions from the county land use decision was a document to be recorded on the deed that basically acknowledged, hey. There's wetlands here,” Grama said.

Why it matters: A selected developer has raised concerns that the deed notice and wetlands designations could slow design and financing. Grama said staff does not believe the notice imposes new regulation beyond existing state and federal requirements, but acknowledged the notice has raised lender and developer questions that staff will continue to address in coordination with the city’s real‑estate contact.

Staffing and workload

Grama told council that a planning staff member (referred to in the discussion as Jenny) has signaled a planned departure and that the planner will be the primary remaining planner during the interim. He said current‑planning duties will be prioritized while larger projects may be delayed until a replacement is hired or the workload eases. “The biggest impact… is project time,” Grama said, noting previous periods when a single planner handled a heavy permit load.

Grama also flagged upcoming regulatory work the department must complete, including a housing needs analysis update due within roughly a year and transportation planning projects. He said the city could delay the housing needs analysis based on consultant advice and the department’s current capacity, but emphasized it will be a major effort when initiated.

Ending: Grama said staff will continue to respond to developer and title‑company questions about the Millard Road deed notice and will present updates about staffing, timelines and any permit impacts at future meetings.","City Planner Jacob Grama updated the council on wetlands-related deed notice on the Millard Road property tied to a failed hospital project, explained developer concerns about title notices, and said a planning staff member will soon depart, leaving the planner as the primary day-to-day staffer until a hire is made.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews purchase agreement and long ground lease for 1771 Columbia Blvd. site

Saint Helens staff outline DEQ-driven erosion-control ordinance, debate permit thresholds and fees

Saint Helens weighs options for water taxi as inspections, insurance and public-safety concerns mount

Council hears proposal to require voter approval for fees collected through utility bills

Planner reports on Millard Road wetlands, developer concerns and upcoming staffing changes